Abstract: Ecologically and/or environmentally conscious consumers and/or product manufacturers can “grade” the ecological and/or environmental character of products and/or their manufacturing methods. This grading may include one or more of: determining a type or amount of toxic material used in making the product and assigning a toxic consumption value for the product; determining a type or amount of waste created in making the product and assigning a waste production value for the product; determining a type or amount of environmentally preferred materials used in making the product and assigning a material value for the product; and determining an extent to which the product or its manufacturing methods provide an ecological or environmental advance over existing products or manufacturing methods and assigning an advancement value for the product. The final product grade then may be determined based on the assigned value or values.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly. A plurality of ribs is positioned on an exterior surface of at least one of the upper and the sole assembly, with each rib including a plurality of faces and each face having an image thereon.